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From glaciers to rivers: What is the mysterious source of fresh water?
Freshwater is one of the most vital resources for life on Earth. Although there is a large amount of water on the earth's surface, fresh water actually accounts for less than 3% of all water resources. Most of these precious freshwater resources exist in polar glaciers and ice caps, and only a small part can be directly used by humans. A closer look at where fresh water comes from not only sheds light on the water cycle but also helps us understand how to maintain this limited resource.
Freshwater is any naturally occurring liquid or frozen water that contains low concentrations of dissolved salts and other dissolved solids.
The sources of fresh water mainly include glacier meltwater, precipitation (such as rain, snow) and groundwater. These water sources are redistributed throughout the earth through the natural water cycle process. Water evaporates from oceans, lakes and rainy areas, forming clouds, and then falls back to the ground again, becoming the source of water we need every day.
Natural circulation of fresh water
Every stage of the water cycle is critical. When water evaporates and forms clouds, these clouds eventually cool somewhere, causing precipitation. Precipitation can take the form of fine mist, rain, snow or hail, and changes in this process can affect the quality and availability of fresh water.
Fresh water is valued by humans for its purity and low salinity properties, and is especially indispensable for agriculture and daily life.
Global distribution of freshwater
About 70% of the world's freshwater resources are occupied by glaciers and polar ice caps, making these resources extremely fragile. In fact, only about 1% is immediately usable by humans. Freshwater is also not evenly distributed geographically, with many areas facing growing water shortages.
Human demand for fresh water
Human daily life, agriculture and industrial activities all depend on fresh water. According to statistics, agriculture consumes about two-thirds of the world's freshwater resources every year. In addition, as the global population grows and climate changes, freshwater demand will continue to rise.
Freshwater availability is affected by many factors, including climate change and disturbance from human activities.
Challenges faced
As human demand for water resources increases, the freshwater environment is facing unprecedented pressure. Pollution, over-pumping and the degradation of water resources pose threats to our future water supplies. The pollution of water bodies not only affects the safety of our drinking water, but also destroys the health of ecosystems and leads to the reduction of biodiversity.
Goals of sustainable development
In order to address these challenges, the international community has proposed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), of which the sixth goal specifically targets the protection and management of water resources. By improving water efficiency and protecting natural water ecosystems, we can preserve this important resource for future generations.
By 2030, the goal is to significantly increase the efficiency of water use across sectors and ensure a sustainable supply of fresh water.
Conclusion
As we re-examine the source and importance of fresh water, we must face the impact of human activities on water resources. Maintaining the sustainability of freshwater supply is not only the responsibility of scientists and policymakers, but also the mission of every citizen of the earth. Every decision and every action can affect the future of our water resources, but how can we continue to maintain this indispensable resource?
